Off The Feed Ep. 3 | Olivia Speaks on Workplace Discrimination, Identity & Speaking Out

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[00:00:00]Woo! You ready to live? You okay? Deep breath in.

[00:00:04]>> Deep breath out. One more time and let it out.

[00:00:10]>> We ready.

[00:00:11]>> Okay. We do. We got this.

[00:00:13]>> We got this. Okay.

[00:00:14]>> Welcome back to another episode of Off the Feed. I am your host Jasmine and it has been a minute. I feel like y'all see me in a whole different type of light right now. It's giving curly set by miracles hair care to my mind. Tracy, quick plug. Okay, if you're new here, this is an a space where we step from scrolling all the time and we get into real conversations with people that you see online every single day. Now, before we get into today's conversation, I want to start here. As a black woman who has recently transitioned into being a full-time content creator after my own separation from American Airlines, I understand very personally what it feels like to speak up, to stand in your truth, and to face consequences for it.

[00:00:55]Especially when you're navigating large systems that were never built with you in mind. There is a reality that black women experience in the workplace where speaking up can cost you your position, your peace, and sometimes your reputation. And that's why this conversation felt important to me. Now, in my own journey as a creator, I've had the opportunity to experience different places across the city, including Marshes on South Street, where I filmed for my Birds and Bar series. My experience was positive. I had a great time. But, as we've seen recently, there were deeper issues unfolding beneath the surface. On April 18th, a video was released that quickly gained traction, bringing forward allegations of racial profiling, workplace issues, and mistreatment of both employees and patrons. Since then, multiple responses have been issued, including statements from the founder, Siobhan, as well as continued dialogue online within the community. Today, we're stepping away from the noise and into a real conversation. I'm sitting down with Olivia, a black transw woman, former manager at Marshes on South Street and the person who brought these concerns to the forefront. This is not about sensationalism. This is about understanding. This is about accountability and this is about creating a space for truth. Olivia, welcome to Off the Feed.

[00:02:16]>> Hey girl, >> I'm so happy to have you here.

[00:02:18]>> Thanks for having me.

[00:02:19]>> First of all, we talked about this off camera and we found out that we are Aquarius sisters. So, what's going on?

[00:02:24]You know what I'm saying? gang.

[00:02:26]>> I really feel like we're the superior sign.

[00:02:29]>> I'm just going to add that. You know what I'm saying? I'm just going to add that in there. I'm just going to put that in there for for the chat.

[00:02:35]>> You know, first of all, we have our sister sign, Leo, who is the producer.

[00:02:40]Everybody knows who Tyler is. Like, so, >> you know, I'mma give the tea where it needs to go to my sister son. But you know, first I I do want to say that we had a conversation last night and you talked about not feeling comfortable today. I do want to express that here and say that the hate that you have been getting online has been disgusting. The uh push back that you have been getting from being honest and being truthful is not well. But I do desire to give you this space and this opportunity to share your story and to talk about who you are within the situation, but more so who the woman is sitting beside us today. So, I did just want to go ahead and say that. Yeah.

[00:03:25]>> I appreciate that. That means a lot.

[00:03:26]Truly.

[00:03:27]>> Yeah. Okay. You ready?

[00:03:28]>> Yes.

[00:03:28]>> All right. Let's get into it. Before we get into everything that happened, who is Olivia outside of this moment?

[00:03:35]>> Oh my god. That's um that's a complicated question. I'm a complicated girl. I would say, >> you know, I'm just like a kind like kind of like sweet cutesy kind of girl.

[00:03:46]>> Um, I like to game a lot, you know, >> really.

[00:03:49]>> I do spend like a lot I spend a lot of time on that game. I'm so sorry. I do >> What games do you play? I'm curious.

[00:03:54]>> Um, so I have a PC that I bought last year.

[00:03:57]>> Okay.

[00:03:58]>> So, I play like a lot of RPGs, a lot of like I play a few multiplayer games, like shooters. I can't aim, but I get on there.

[00:04:07]>> Get on there. Yeah. fighting with the girls. That's okay though. Um but yeah, mostly RPG story rich games. I love a good story. I like a game where it's like it's almost like a movie.

[00:04:17]>> Okay.

[00:04:18]>> Um >> is it kind of like that interactive game how they did on um Black Mirror where it's like you have a different type of >> I do like games like that. Yes, I do like games like that. Outside of that, I also >> I like art. I used to draw and paint a lot. I went to art school at one point like Yeah. So >> Okay.

[00:04:34]>> Yeah. I I'm just, you know, I'm a regular dular girl. Right.

[00:04:38]>> If I were to describe it, like I feel like I tell people all the time, I feel like my aesthetic and who I am is very like 2016, 2017 gives a control.

[00:04:47]>> Okay. Yeah. It gives that it gives it with the hair. First of all, I love the big hair. I ain't going to hold you.

[00:04:51]That's why I got my little bigger the better.

[00:04:53]>> Yeah. I got my little curly try to get some.

[00:04:55]>> Listen, >> you know, >> I got some I got some curls under this thing.

[00:05:00]>> Thank you.

[00:05:02]>> Okay. I'm curious. So, how would you describe yourself in your own words, not how the internet has defined you? Like, you talked about being a gamer, you talked about being an artsy cutie girl.

[00:05:14]Is there anything that's outside of that that has been expressed online, but you want other people to know?

[00:05:23]>> Um, I feel like a lot of things that got like lost in translation or misconstrued about me is like I'm just I'm I'm a person too like everyone else, like you know. Um, yeah. I'm I'm just a girl. Like, honestly, I'm just trying to make it through life like everybody else.

[00:05:40]>> That's so true.

[00:05:41]>> Um, unfortunately with like obviously being black women and then being >> trans on top of that and being involved in so many like connecting communities.

[00:05:52]>> Yeah. Those intersection Yeah.

[00:05:54]intersectionality, that's the word.

[00:05:56]>> It's made it a little bit difficult to say the least. But, you know, >> I'm just I'm trying to make it through.

[00:06:03]I just want to be happy. I want the same things as everyone else. I want to be happy. I want to be able to >> go have fun, take a vacation.

[00:06:10]>> I feel like I feel like often times that is completely lost when people when we get into those intersections of whether it's race, gender, uh uh sexuality. I feel like everybody >> takes away the humanity from it. Like, hey, we're just I I go get coffee. Like, you get coffee. I sleep. Like, you sleep. I love like you love and it is extremely frustrating especially living in those intersections. So I'm very happy that you talked about that. Are there certain ways in which it has been >> a benefit in any type of way meaning like >> you know how we so it's been like online or on TikTok where it's like we had that whole thing of like you the birthday and it's like only we got it. You know what I mean? Like only we like no you you know what I'm saying? So, is like there any type of benefit that does come from your specific intersectionality?

[00:07:03]>> Um, as far as like what do you mean like as of like online of what's happened or just like >> No, just like in general.

[00:07:09]>> Um, in general I would say I'm enriched with so many different beautiful cultures that are also intertwined at the same time. Cuz I'm also a black woman, >> but I'm a black trans woman. So there's so much of, you know, not only the black community, but the black queer community, you know, as like being a black American, like so much of our culture is just like worldwide and it's it's just spread everywhere. So to be able to be a part of a culture where that is just prevalent. And the same thing for like black queer culture.

[00:07:42]Yeah.

[00:07:42]>> Cuz even though the girls are saying like, you know, >> clock it. No, I want everybody know it's >> this is it. And it mean it doesn't mean clock it. It means like, you know, I'm applauding you. It come from ballroom.

[00:07:54]Like, >> oh, so that does come from ballroom.

[00:07:56]>> This is from ballroom. Yes.

[00:07:57]>> Shut up.

[00:07:58]>> So, it's like it's not it's not you anything. It means like I'm giving you applause, [ __ ] You ate that. I'm giving you your 10.

[00:08:05]>> See, I did not even know that. That's crazy cuz Karisha said when you you know what I mean?

[00:08:10]>> But there's so many other things like even from, you know, the makeup. My makeup's a little bit light today, but you know, the contouring, like the way the girls are wearing their makeup now.

[00:08:19]Like there's so many things that just come from, you know, the beautiful, like I said, the beautiful culture that I'm part of. So, I feel like that is like >> and just having people who, you know, are able, even though there's so few of us who are part of the community and understand that. And I feel like that was really showcased over like the last like week or so.

[00:08:39]>> Yeah.

[00:08:39]>> And people are just like, "Oh, girl, we know. We've been there.

[00:08:43]>> We've been to Marsha's. we've experienced this somewhere else. Like we stand behind you because we know exactly how that feels. So to have that camaraderie and community stand behind me.

[00:08:52]>> Yeah, >> that is my next question. What does community mean to you, especially as a black trans woman in Philadelphia specifically?

[00:08:58]>> I feel like community is I feel like a lot of people take it for granted, especially out here, not even just in Philly, but in the US. I feel like we're all raised and we're kind of conditioned to be like indiv individuals >> to a fault where it's just like >> oh you're 18 [ __ ] you need to get out the house you need to you need to be making this kind of money when and it's just like it doesn't always work like that like community for me is just like >> a group of people doesn't have to be blood related just people that you know you can trust on and you all have each other's back and there's no like well why I did this for you, so you owe me this. It's just we're in community together. You fill my cup, I fill your cup, >> and there's no tit for tat. And it's all just kind of like, >> yeah, we're just here for each other. We want to build community. We want to have like meaningful connections with each other because I feel like that's just part of being human, too. Like, we all crave like deep, meaningful connections with people, whether it's, you know, romantically or platonically. So, that's kind of what community means. I like that because I as a content creator and somebody who has been going around the city of Philadelphia reviewing different black spaces, I feel that sense of keeping that like alive, like more so getting away from like, oh, I charge $800, $1,500 for this particular one video and more so in like a no, hey, how you doing? Oh, this good, I like this, or I don't like this or I think that this should change more so to my people to give that truly back to my actual community. And I feel like it goes even deeper sometimes cuz I am like I'm a black trans woman. I'm part of the queer community. A lot of us have experienced like oh you come out or you just try to express yourself in the most authentic way that you can. And unfortunately a lot of the times and even in my situation your family does not >> align with that. So then you're kind of just like the little the community that you did have, the one that you spent your entire life with is just ripped away from you and in literally minutes, seconds, and >> you know, you have to find your way in this world alone until you can, you know, build your chosen family and >> connect with other people and and you know, that's that's even really difficult. So, >> but yeah, >> and then creating that Wow. As a black woman, what was your experience? How how has your experience been navigating professional spaces that weren't necessarily built for you?

[00:11:24]>> Um, so I always say I there are some benefits to where I grew up. So I grew up in like a small majority white town.

[00:11:34]>> So for me code switching is just like >> or or it was just like second nature. I didn't even think about it. But like there's a lot of instances like being a black woman in these professional spaces, professionalism is not professionalism just upholds basically whiteness and white supremacy. And at the end of the day, we as black women will never be able to like fully align with that or fully reap the benefits that come along with that.

[00:12:01]>> So, you know, >> code switching or like even having your hair in what is called like a present professional way. You can't wear your natural hair out. You can't wear big curly hair. Um, even braids are kind of seen as like your hair needs to be pressed. It needs to be straight. You better put that um >> the hot comb to or get that relaxer.

[00:12:22]>> Yeah. Or the relaxer, which don't get me started on on that, but >> disgusting. Um, >> I feel you on saying it was second nature because I was born in Philly but raised in South Carolina around a lot of people who did not look like me and having to >> integrate some of those places and having to like >> speak >> politely or like with you know regular English or whatever they wanted to call has always been something that has been like a quick hello how are you nice to meet my name is like type of vibe and my mother hated it like they used to call it, oh, you speak very well or you talk white. And it's like my mother would be infuriated. Like, what does that even mean?

[00:13:02]>> No. I So, I got that a lot growing up because growing up in a majority white town, like I said, like they're like, "Oh, well, you don't act or speak like the black people that we've seen on TV and in media, which >> again, black people aren't a monolith.

[00:13:19]We all come in different our different ways, sizes, colors, like you know, so it's just like I it's not that I speak white. I use AV like all the time. I mean even in our interactions like you know like so >> at at this point personally I refuse to code switch. I refuse to >> lesser myself to make other people feel comfortable because at the end of the day if you're uncomfortable with me being myself and me being myself in no way shape or form >> dictates anything that you're doing. it doesn't harm you in any way. It just allows me to feel comfortable in myself in the spaces that I'm in. So, I I don't I don't like aligning with it. And even the whole speaking white thing, I feel like cuz it also just takes it down to well, like if you have a big vocabulary, then of course you're speaking white.

[00:14:11]So, it's like almost saying like, oh, if you're black, you're expected to be less ignorant and intellectual. And I'm not saying that AAV is that cuz it's not.

[00:14:20]Ave is its own way of speaking English.

[00:14:24]Like that's like going to England or Australia and being like y'all are uneducated because you have you know what I'm saying?

[00:14:30]>> Correct.

[00:14:31]>> So >> it's just it's a lot. But yeah, professional I not here for it.

[00:14:36]>> In that same regard, at what point does being professional start to feel like you're being silenced?

[00:14:42]Um, >> and is there any form that like gets to that like being professional in some spaces where it's like now I have to be this professional person that I now I can't say anything or I can't act the way I'm which I want to be. So yeah, that's what I'm going to say.

[00:14:59]>> So I feel like that comes up a lot because it's just like um professionalism only applies to everyone that who basically is not a sis white man >> because they're allowed to do whatever they want >> cuz then we went the Wolf of Wall Street when they was in there doing coke >> doing coke and the crazy jokes that they're making and stuff like that at the expense of other people. And it's just like so that is considered a cultural norm in what is quote unquote professionalism in America, right? Where cis white men are not held to the same standards that we are. And the further down you are on the like racial hierarchy of the United States, >> right? Like >> the more you are bound to those rules and you're expected to follow them.

[00:15:41]>> That makes sense. the more like the definition becomes more pertinent because of where you fall >> because again it's all about aligning with whiteness. So the further you are away from what whiteness is cis straight >> um Christian um all of that stuff >> uh educated money uh status like the whole nine.

[00:16:05]>> Yeah.

[00:16:06]>> Yeah. So the further you are away from that, the more the more those rules are heavily placed on top of you >> in this particular situation um that has happened with Marsha's.

[00:16:18]>> How do you balance protecting your peace while also advocating for yourself?

[00:16:23]>> Oh, that's hard. Um honestly, at the end of the day, this has always been my like policy for any job that I work. When I walk out those doors, I don't think about >> what has happened. Yes, I do care about the stuff. When I'm there >> and when I'm at work, I'm present. I'm speaking up on those things because they matter.

[00:16:43]>> And everyone wants to always be like, >> "Oh, well, what would you have done back in, you know, >> oh my god, >> the ' 50s or the 60s or when slavery was happening or when the Holocaust was going on, right?" And we're actively living in a time where a lot of those things are resurfacing, especially like with ICE, the the the rise of conservatism and white nationalism. And >> you're in those times right now and you're not doing anything.

[00:17:11]>> Correct.

[00:17:11]>> So, it's just like as far as balancing it when I'm at home, do I think about those things? Yes. Because at the end, I'm an Aquarian to the tea. the human humanitarian really just comes out in a lot of things.

[00:17:26]>> Um, >> but like I also get peace from it because I know like I always am going to stand up for what I believe is right and just.

[00:17:34]>> Yeah. So, like a lot of the things that happened at Marshes with the racism and the misogynistic comments and a lot of the other things, I get peace knowing that even though it didn't end in the way that I would like it have to ended, >> I I get peace from knowing that, you know, >> I stood up was what was right. I tried to protect our community, not even just like black people or other POC. those misogynistic comments and the things that were coming out of it directly affect the women who frequent that bar like you know.

[00:18:06]>> Yeah.

[00:18:06]>> So I would I'm I'm sitting here trying to stand up for everybody and what's right. But >> you know that's so I feel I feel like that's how I get my peace cuz I know what I know what I did was right. I have no moral qualms about what I did cuz Yeah.

[00:18:21]So like I'm I'm at peace knowing like if I had to do that whole situation over again >> Yeah. Um, you would I would do it the same. The only thing different I would do is I would probably record every conversation.

[00:18:32]>> No, that's right.

[00:18:34]>> All right. Well, then let's get into it.

[00:18:35]I feel like that's a great segue. Can you walk us through your experience working at Marsha from beginning to the moment that things shifted for you?

[00:18:43]>> So, I want to start back like at the very beginning, right? Okay. So, of course, I am So, I was unemployed last summer also, and I was just sitting around and I'm on TikTok like I normally am, and I see um Siobhan Anderson, who is the founder of Marshes and one of the many owners, but she's the face of Marshes.

[00:19:04]>> Um she's talking about how like, yeah, we're opening a blackowned queer woman's sports bar. It's going to be a space for, you know, the protection of BIPO.

[00:19:15]And as a trans woman and as someone who's only been like I've only been transitioning for like maybe two two and a half years.

[00:19:22]>> Oh really? Okay.

[00:19:22]>> So it's still kind of like fresh like fresh and new.

[00:19:27]>> So I was like and it has not been an easy road in the slightest.

[00:19:31]>> I can imagine. So to to literally while I'm looking for jobs to come across a place just randomly on social media that's opening in my city and is like oh this is for people >> like me P. Johnson like >> she's a black trans woman like I'm a black trans woman. It's owned by not multiple people but the the founder one of the main people is a black lesbian.

[00:19:57]>> Yeah.

[00:19:58]>> Um so I was super excited. Um, and then I get there.

[00:20:03]>> We get there for our orientation. We're signing papers. I'm looking around and then it's unfortunately I was I was the most color that was in there.

[00:20:11]>> Really?

[00:20:12]>> Yeah. The most color that was in there.

[00:20:14]And also >> even cuz what were you hired as? I'm curious.

[00:20:17]>> So I was initially hired as a bartender.

[00:20:19]>> Okay. So you were initially hired.

[00:20:20]>> Yeah. But I also got promoted. So that's how I became a manager even though I was still bartending cuz the manager still bartended.

[00:20:27]>> Gotcha. Yeah, that makes sense. Um, but yeah, I was the most color in there. And child, I'm very aware of the way that I look, >> right?

[00:20:33]>> And I'm very aware that, you know, I'm light-kinned and I have some racially maybe like ambiguous features, too.

[00:20:43]>> Uh, uh, can we uh uh can we just pause really quick and say that you're not like, >> okay, I can take that. I agree. But the way that people address me, like even like the most recent time I was at Marshes and some girl was like, "Oh my god, you look so exotic. Like you look like you're Pacific Islander or something."

[00:21:04]>> What was the color of her skin?

[00:21:05]>> She was she was a dark-kinned woman.

[00:21:07]Like a dark-kinned black woman.

[00:21:08]>> Interesting.

[00:21:09]>> And that's like so the way I view myself is like >> child I'm black. Like at the end of the day, I have two black parents, four black grandparents. Their parents are black, right? Um, so it's just like, but when I left my small town, that was my experience going forward is like everyone's assuming that >> like I'm mix and stuff like that. Okay.

[00:21:33]And >> I am all for like speaking about colorism and I realize that it does not go back. Like, you know what I'm saying?

[00:21:39]Like I'm not going to sit here like, oh, they called me yellow and now my feelings are hurt. It's I experience colorism. No.

[00:21:46]>> Right. Exactly. It don't work like that.

[00:21:47]>> It doesn't work like that. Like, so I just I I just understand as someone who is not dark skinned, you know, that my experiences >> are going to be different.

[00:21:58]>> That makes sense.

[00:21:59]>> And and even though I'm not the lightest and I'm not the darkest, I think I'm brown skinned.

[00:22:02]>> I think you're brown skinned as well, >> personally.

[00:22:05]>> Right. Um, but I realize that if I go into a room and I'm the darkest person in there, I'm just kind of like, >> so are you saying that? Not to say that there weren't any black people there, you just recognize your color within that space is what you're saying.

[00:22:20]>> So like when we walk in and I go in there and even after the orientation, I finally meet everyone, I'm literally even within our circle of co-workers and surrounded by white people.

[00:22:32]>> Wow. in a space that is meant to be a bipok queer space named after Marcia B.

[00:22:38]Johnson. You ran heavily on being blackowned.

[00:22:40]>> And I remember the first time I saw another black person in there. I was like, "Oh my god, babe. I thought there I ran up to them. I hugged them. I was like, "Oh my god, babe. I thought it was just me.

[00:22:49]>> I thought it was just >> And sometimes it's nine times out of 10 it's like that. Even as a flight attendant there, like, >> "Oh my god." Sometimes when I be working, it's like >> I can't ask for no lotion. I know you ain't gonna have no type of like uh edge control like so I may as well just leave.

[00:23:06]>> One of one of the other black girls asked me for lotion and I was so embarrassed to be like I don't have any in my bag.

[00:23:11]>> Come on. You were supposed to have some >> I know we're so I carry a little Vaseline in my purse. So that's cuz they caught me slipping. I was like >> right >> child. But but yeah so like I walk in everyone's white.

[00:23:24]>> Yeah. Um there's out of they so they overstaff which is like kind of normal but they took it to like another level.

[00:23:31]So like out of like 25 people working behind the bar who were hired to work behind the bar >> three of us were people of color >> out of 25 >> it was a it was a good amount of us like and not everyone even made it past like maybe like the first week or something like >> which is normal. Yeah, it was there was three black people in the room, three POC, and everyone else was basically white.

[00:23:56]>> What were some of your first signs that something was wrong?

[00:23:59]>> That was a big one for me, honestly, cuz it's just like it it raises my question of, well, what is your politic when it comes to querness, when it comes to bipok, when it comes to >> What do you mean by that? Unpack that for the people.

[00:24:12]>> So, I I pay attention to who people surround themselves with. M >> so like if you as a as a black person Siobhan >> are surrounding yourself specifically with white people and you're hiring specifically white people and a space that you yourself claimed as a safe space that prioritizes >> people of color >> people of color and black people. Why are why is the entire staff majority white and by a overwhelming amount?

[00:24:49]>> So that was kind of like your first sign that okay, this is not what they advertised it as.

[00:24:54]>> Yeah. So I was like something's a little off, >> but I I'm going to give it a shot. I want to I want to see how this goes. I'm going to keep I'm noted keep my eyes open. M um later on they decided to hire more managers because when we first started it was it was a mess but I mean it we're open on a bar you know so it's just kind of like >> one of Ryland Murphy the one man Drew who said a lot of the comments was um in the hospital for septus this man's on his deathbed >> oh no >> yeah he got through it thankfully I don't >> wish no bad yeah that's not who I Yeah.

[00:25:32]>> So like he was on his deathbed. So >> and Siobhan was also getting surgeries surgery for something as well.

[00:25:42]>> And so they weren't there. So there was our one manager, Whitney Zimmerman.

[00:25:46]>> She was there every day.

[00:25:48]>> She was there every day until basically Murf got there at the end of October. So they decided to hire more managers because uh Murphy's idea of how a restaurant should run, even if it's just opening, is that he doesn't need to be there. And basically the bar should be able to run on its own and not need him there all the time >> as our general manager.

[00:26:07]>> So he was a pop-in kind of manager.

[00:26:09]>> Um well no because that's unreasonable especially when we just opened. So we ended up having to be there. But they decided to hire three more managers so it's not like him closing every night and so they can delegate some of the responsibilities. And even in that situation, and this goes back to my other point about what's your politic when it comes to black people, people >> and bipok when >> Okay, so you hired a white man to be our general manager. Cool.

[00:26:37]>> You gave him full reigns of the restaurant, so you don't have to be there. So you can be a pop in owner.

[00:26:42]>> Just come in whenever you want. Cool.

[00:26:44]>> Um, and then he makes the entire front of house leadership white. So you hire two more. you literally hired two more white people when we're already over staffed, right?

[00:26:55]>> So now every single manager is a white person in the by queer space.

[00:26:59]>> Um, >> so at the time of which you're talking about, the only black person of color that was representing Marshes at the time was Siobhan.

[00:27:11]>> Yes.

[00:27:12]>> Wow. basically. And then even to the point like once Smurf got there, he decided a bunch of people got fired, which is the wage theft situation that happened.

[00:27:22]>> Um, a lot of people got put on pickup schedule because their availability maybe wasn't didn't align with what he wanted according to him. So then >> out of the three black people, it was just me at that point. Wow. So from and that's maybe like November till up until we re they recently hired um a black man named Reese I love and adore.

[00:27:45]>> Okay.

[00:27:45]>> Um he's a drag king.

[00:27:47]>> Oh >> love him. Um which was he got hired in >> March maybe?

[00:27:53]>> This March.

[00:27:54]>> Yes.

[00:27:54]>> Literally last month.

[00:27:55]>> Yes. So, so, so basically from open till November, the only black person you were going to see working at that bar basically was me.

[00:28:04]>> Are you serious?

[00:28:05]>> I'm so very serious. Besides the random occasion where you would see um another bartender who her name is Alex and she would be there maybe once a month if that. And then the other one, the other black girl got fired who was also one of the main people claiming who was talking about the wage theft thing. And as soon as he came in, all those people talking about it got >> let go.

[00:28:30]>> They all were gone. So run me back to the first time that you said something to either management or Siobhan directly >> to where you talked about your concerns because >> the concerns that you have talked about at least for right now are very much heavily on the staffing and how Siobhan structured >> hiring people. But I'm curious, what were some of the inner workings that you have alluded to here as far as for the comments that were made and some of the things that were said that then made you be like, "Okay, I actually do need to say something because this is an issue."

[00:29:03]>> So, obviously the first few months I was just like, "Okay, we're it's a new bar.

[00:29:08]We're going to like I want to give them the opportunity to, you know, just try and show that they do care and show that they want to take some initiative and fix those things." And also, it's the first few months. a lot of things are going to go wrong, especially in the hospitality industry. It's always a different thing on a different day, >> right?

[00:29:26]>> Um the first time that I spoke up and said something specifically to management and ownership was I believe in November and I was saying, "Hey, you know, we we do we are getting a lot of feedback that the space is majority white. um our black and other POC guests do not feel comfortable, which is like and I was like, "Hey, like even when I'm here, I'll w it's not like they don't want to come. I'll see black girls, other POC walk through that door, they'll stand in the entryway and they look around for like a minute and then they just walk back out really." And it's just and I was trying to explain to them like >> when you are a black person walking into a space that claims to be for you and then you're not reflected in that, >> right? It is overwhelming. It does.

[00:30:12]>> It's disheartening.

[00:30:13]>> It's disheartening. It's kind of a slap in the face. And it also just feels like not safe. And then it that got into a whole conversation. Well, are they not safe or they just uncomfortable? And I was just like and I just told him like, if you don't understand the difference between how black people can not feel safe >> in uncomfortable situations, then >> especially in a room full of white people.

[00:30:35]>> Correct.

[00:30:35]>> I I don't know how to explain that to you. Like especially to a white man. I don't I don't cuz you'll never see it.

[00:30:42]You're at the top of the >> you're at the top of the food chain.

[00:30:45]>> So, um and I was like and I was like, "Okay." I was like, "I have some ideas, you know."

[00:30:51]>> Okay, >> let's start doing black and PC focused events. And I was like, "Let's do um like an RB night or like let's do like a Latin night." Lo and behold, a month later, those become our staple events that we hold once a month and are the most lucrative events that Marshes was holding.

[00:31:13]>> Did they credit you and make you work the bar that night or have you be the manager on staff that night?

[00:31:17]>> So, I did work the bar that night. I wasn't the manager at this time. I'm still just a bartender. So, I'm just working.

[00:31:23]>> Okay.

[00:31:23]>> Um, as far as crediting, no. But like they would say things to me where they're just like, "Oh, we like you because you don't flex what you do."

[00:31:33]Like you know, like you know what you did >> and you know what you provided, >> but also you know what I did and you knew what I provided, >> right? And it's always like, "Oh, we really appreciate you. We love what you're doing. We love And even in my sixmonth review, which we can get to later, you love that I speak. you're telling me you love that I speak up and bring these things to your attention with solutions and holding so we can hold ourselves all accountable, >> right?

[00:31:58]>> And that's the same thing that I ended up getting fired for. But that was the first situation that I brought up was like, "Hey, this is the response we're getting online. Um, I honestly see it too and here's the ways that I see it, >> right?

[00:32:11]>> Here's some solutions."

[00:32:12]>> Right. Well, it sounds like at least for that particular for that particular >> situation, it did sound like they utilized at least for the for the latter part, they utilized some of your ideas.

[00:32:27]What was it that was either not clearly the final straw for Marsha's, but really the final straw for you as far as for that last event to equate it to the first one? meaning that you came to them with concerns, they did something with what you said, but more so in the end that nothing kind of happened with the beginning part of what you said, >> right? So later on, further down the line, like most recently, I was I was trying to bring to their attention and this is something I was constantly bringing up and it was always met back with >> and is specifically with Siobhan cuz did you ever have a conversation with her?

[00:33:01]>> Yes, with Siobhan. We actually had a staff meeting where everyone was present. Okay. And I brought this up because like one of the things that yeah, we can hold black events, but it it it's also just giving well black people and other people saying this is your designated time to come in. Any other time you're not welcome. And a lot of that comes forth when, you know, you have my white counterparts behind the bar and they're not friendly to black and black people in PC and a lot of times they're just outright rude, which even if you go to like a lot of the comments that I posted on any of my videos, >> there's hundreds of people.

[00:33:40]>> Yeah.

[00:33:40]>> Being like, "This is my experience.

[00:33:42]She's right. Like I went there and her white counterparts did treat me." So, what were some of this is I you know what is crazy because I was looking at those comments and seeing people agree with exactly what you were saying and talking about their own experience with Marshes. Like what were some of Did you hear any of these things that the bartenders would say to people of color or did you witness like bartenders actively being nice to certain patrons and then not nice to other patrons? like what was the other things that they >> actually like there is um like a few people who actually got let go for some of those reasons.

[00:34:18]>> Um and also cuz they were just kind of like rude to everybody even the people that they work with. And so a lot of the things that I witnessed was like for example um during our most recent R&B night that I worked >> um it was me and then the other white staff and they were saying things like and and this wasn't even just like the most recent one. It's like most of the R&B nights. Yeah.

[00:34:40]>> They're like, "Oh, >> you know, it's getting like a little ghetto in here cuz the girls are just having a good time and they're they're dancing. You know, they're throwing that thing like they're >> You said that out loud.

[00:34:51]>> Yeah. Well, not loud enough where the guest can hear, but you're saying it to me and I'm just looking around like, uh, that's crazy. And they're like, you know, just the typical stereotypical stuff like, oh, of course they get into it's a lot of microaggressions.

[00:35:05]>> And I have witnessed people like >> they'll a black person will come up and they're just they'll either ignore them and pretend like they're on their phone or turn their back or like, you know, they'll just even if they do go up to them, they're just like What do you want? Like >> so in this particular staff meeting that Siobhan had the founder of Marsha's, >> what was she saying to the concerns in which you were saying? Cuz I am very curious about that.

[00:35:36]>> They weren't good. So my concerns was that, you know, hey, it doesn't make sense that we're a BIPO space and, you know, it's named after Marsh B. Johnson.

[00:35:46]And so the person who did the hiring was when we first opened was Siobhan.

[00:35:51]>> Okay.

[00:35:51]>> She did the hiring. We all had interviews with Siobhan.

[00:35:54]>> Okay.

[00:35:54]>> That's the only person we interviewed with, >> right? And I was like, "So, you specifically hired an almost exclusively white staff for a bipot space and then you're allowing these people to speak negative, not only negatively, but also treat our black and POC guests without a care in the world, without any respect."

[00:36:17]>> And you said this in the staff meeting.

[00:36:19]>> I said this, yes, in the staff meeting.

[00:36:21]And I'm just like, and she's like, "Oh, well, you know, we can't just fire all the white people and say no whites allowed." I was like, "First off, >> who said that?

[00:36:29]>> Siobhan said that." And I quote exactly what she said. And I told her, "Well, no one said that."

[00:36:35]>> Right? That's what I'm like, >> "That's a little extreme, >> right?"

[00:36:37]>> But what I'm saying is, and she's like, "Oh, well, and the reason we picked those people is cuz they have the best like resumes." I was like, "Well, half of these people don't even work here anymore, so that can't be true." And I said, if you're doing it based off of who has the quote quote unquote best accolades in their resume, you're inherently discriminating against black people in PC because we all have gone out to eat in Philly. Correct. They do not let us in those spaces. Correct.

[00:37:04]They don't let us be managers. They don't let us be bartenders. They don't let us be servers. There's very few and far in between.

[00:37:10]>> Correct. So, it's just like if you do that, you're you're you're the people who are applying are never going to get the chance because you're only looking at well, >> you haven't worked at these places, so no.

[00:37:21]>> Right.

[00:37:22]>> But at the end of the day, we're also we're a sports bar, babe.

[00:37:24]>> Right.

[00:37:25]>> Half our drinks are draft drinks.

[00:37:27]>> Correct. Like the vast majority of them are in paper cups. Like, >> and then when I said that, the whole room was silent. She didn't have a response for me to say that. And I'm just sitting here like, >> so let's get up to the leading up to your your termination because I feel like that is the point of contention that has been talked about within you.

[00:37:42]But I do want to rewind back because I'm very curious and I think it has been rumored online that the cops were called on you. Is that something that is true?

[00:37:51]>> That's very true. Um >> that the cops were called on you at Marshia P. Johnson's absolutely >> namesake >> on South Street. That's insane to know that Marshia P. Johnson was a civil rights activist, a black trans woman who was a civil rights activist who >> was famous for going against >> very much so against the cops. So to be had so who first of all >> and Marsha was raided and raided by the cops literally a few weeks before and getting harassed by the >> police and then I personally went on my social media and talked about that and was like oh my god I stand with Marsha's and like you know falsely calling claims on there you know I'm sitting here looking at this situation not even realizing what's going on inside. But let's get back to you because >> who called the cops? Why were the cops called? So the first time, so I initially walked into the restaurant, they told me it was going to be a meeting cuz I asked to speak to them because what initially happened is after I tried to speak to Murf about my concerns and he yelled at me for 30 minutes, right?

[00:38:51]>> Um, literally the next day he put out our schedule and he cut my shifts down to three days a week. And as an mod, as a manager, mod manager on duty, I was guaranteed five shifts a week. So, I'm confused and I'm like, "Hey, you know, I was promised these shifts.

[00:39:09]Um, you basically gave my shifts away to people that also he's just very unprofessional and there's a lot of things he said to me that I shouldn't have been privy to." And he even said, "I shouldn't be telling you this, but don't tell anybody."

[00:39:21]>> Um, and you know, it's it's just it's just sickening to me that he can just sit there and do that. And he's like, so he didn't want to have a conversation with me.

[00:39:34]>> Okay.

[00:39:34]>> So he said, um, I'm busy right now. I'm doing event stuff. Can we talk about this next week? I'm like, okay, cool. No problem. Um, but then that same night, this man literally, he usually leaves around like 10:00 on the weekend. He literally stayed the entire night, >> a patron, >> and helped us close >> like and did a lot of like a patron.

[00:39:56]>> No, like he was like he he did the manager work that I'm supposed to do at the end of the night. And it also helped us clean. So I was like, "There was time for you to speak to me, >> but you chose not to speak to me because you knew what you were going to do."

[00:40:07]Because even in that moment when he was yelling at me and I told him like, "Hey, like you know, some of the comments you're making to us are misogynistic. A lot of the a lot of the girls in non-binaries feel like you are talking down to us." I said, "Hey, personally, I have experienced that from you, too. But like I'm also the kind of girl where I'm just like if I'm at work and you talk to me crazy, I'm just going to be like, "Okay, girl, you got it."

[00:40:32]>> Right. Doesn't really matter.

[00:40:33]>> And then go about my business. Cuz like I said, I go home and I clock out.

[00:40:36]>> So he called the cops.

[00:40:38]>> He he called the cops the second night.

[00:40:39]So the Okay, let me get back to the >> I just wanted to give a little bit more context. Yeah, no worries. Go ahead.

[00:40:44]>> So then they tell me we're going to have a meeting. I call Siobhan because he refused to talk to me and I tell her everything that's going on and she's basically like, "Yeah, I'm supporting you. Yeah, we're gonna have a conversation." So, they scheduled that for Friday, the day I got fired. So, I come in, >> the door's locked. I was like, "That's weird." I have my key in my purse to the building, >> but I know somebody's in there, so I didn't feel like digging through my purse. I'm knocking on the door. She answers that. I'm like, "Oh, hey." She's like, "Hey."

[00:41:11]And I She's like, "Read this and sign it." And Reena is like, "Wait, why am I being fired? y'all were just praising me at my six month review. She's like, "This isn't a conversation." I'm like, I was like, "Wait, what do you mean it's not a conversation? You You have to tell me I was being fired. Like, I don't understand." Um, then she yells at me that again, "This is not a conversation.

[00:41:32]You need to read this sign." She's yell She literally yelled at me and I said, "You're not gonna yell at me." And then we get into an argument, of course. And I'm just asking her, "Why am I being fired?" Right?

[00:41:42]>> Anyway, >> fast forward, she calls up. She's like, "Live, you need to leave or I'm calling the police." It's like, "I need to know why I'm being fired. We >> Siobhan called the police on you.

[00:41:51]>> Siobhan Anderson, the founder and one of the majority holders of Marshes, called the police on me because I was asking her why I was being fired when you had nothing but good things." They wanted to make me a general manager once Marsha's got bigger. Um, I posted my six-month review online, which everyone saw, and it literally negates any of the things because on the termination notice, it said continual misalignment with operating procedures or something like that. And I'm just like, that can't be true because literally a month ago, and even before this happened, you're hugging me. You're telling me how you I'm happy in your life, and then my my six-month review negates everything that you're saying, which was literally a month ago. You can't tell me in the month I'm all of a sudden like this terrible employee. So, you mean to tell me from your six-month review about them praising you to the point of you got fired was one month?

[00:42:42]>> Yes.

[00:42:45]>> Wow.

[00:42:46]>> And so she was like, "Well, I'm calling the police." She picked up her phone, dial 911, and called her. And that's why even in my Instagram stories, I was like, "Y'all are saying that is this actually true or not?" I was like, "Ash Siobhan, that whole building's recorded. Baby, release the footage." Hm.

[00:43:04]>> Both nights.

[00:43:05]>> She did. Well, I mean, the footage was released when they called the cops on her. So, >> she was so quick to release the footage when they were harassing you and they raided the building. Release the footage now.

[00:43:14]>> So, question. What was the time frame in them harassing her and calling the cops on her and then her calling the cops on you? What was the time frame?

[00:43:21]>> That was it's it was a few weeks. It was at >> at most a month. At most month. from the point of you getting your sixmon review around that time the cops were called on her to then her fast forwarding giving you a letter >> a month ago >> her giving you the letter of termination and then calling the cops on you now funny enough you said the cops were calling you twice >> yeah so she called the cops on me >> I left I went home came back to protest >> um I was really by myself and my friend was with me I was like y'all going to hear me >> I know that's right >> um and then the general manager Murphy was there. He closed the windows on me and he proceeded to call the police and the police came up again.

[00:44:02]>> And the first time I left before they got there. The second time I was like, "No, I'm not leaving."

[00:44:06]>> And I'm not on their property. I was not inside. I was on the public sidewalk >> and the police couldn't do anything to me cuz I'm not doing anything wrong.

[00:44:13]>> Correct.

[00:44:14]>> So they they they just sat there and were trying to intimidate me to leave.

[00:44:18]They didn't say a thing to me.

[00:44:20]>> Um and eventually they left because they're like, "She's not doing anything."

[00:44:24]And then even the security person, Jamie, love her down. Love her down. Um she's like, "Yeah, they told me to uh just watch you and stand outside because they're afraid you might throw a brick through the window or something >> like Marshia P. Johnson did."

[00:44:39]>> Exactly.

[00:44:41]I And I'm not like I'm not a violent girl at all. I'm not intimidating. And even during that situation, literally 30 minute I I knew on my way there that I was getting fired because 30 minutes prior, um the other trans woman who got fired, Riley, um messaged me. It's like, "Hey, they pulled me in, they fired me.

[00:44:59]I just want to give you a heads up." Um because again, this was a week after the conversation and I knew something was off because of how everyone was reacting around me and treating me.

[00:45:08]>> Um I'm very intuitive. The ancestors don't play about me one thing about it.

[00:45:11]I just need people to know that.

[00:45:13]>> Amen. Um, so yeah, she gave me the heads up and when she made her statement, she said Siobhan said the same thing. It's not a conversation. Told her to sign the paper and she pushed her out the door. And I feel like there is this is something that is very important to heart to speak about. Riley is a petite trans a white petite white transwoman.

[00:45:37]>> I'm obviously W big. I'm a big black trans girl. So my thing is the perception of us even though we're both trans is very different because I'm not white. I am big. Correct.

[00:45:49]>> Like you know. So I feel like if >> and she knows that and that's why she called the cops on me even though Riley was asking the same situation. Correct.

[00:45:57]>> And if I was smaller or if she thought that she could take me, she would have pushed me out the door, too. Oh, then we can't take the we absolutely can't remove the the race card from that either. Like we can't remove the race from that. She called the cops on a black trans woman but then asked a white trans woman to leave like that.

[00:46:19]>> Even though she was asking the same question, doing the same thing.

[00:46:23]>> And >> yeah, she but she realizes the way that's and that's what I go back to what I said. What is your politic when it comes to queer people, when it comes to bipok, you know, >> because you're surrounding yourself with white people? And then you can't tell me that those ideologies and those concepts don't seep into who you are as a person.

[00:46:42]>> Exactly. Or they weren't already there, especially being that the you talked about her hiring >> 25 people and three of them are black.

[00:46:49]>> And it and that's what I'm saying where the her politic becomes very prevalent and it's very noticeable because again, you hired majority white people, right?

[00:46:57]you hired um >> a white managing staff, >> a white managing staff. Your entire PR team for the most part is white. Um your all your friends are white like and that's that stuff bleeds into >> your business because again you hired all white people >> and then it comes down to this situation >> and I'm anyone who knows me will describe me as a bubbly I'm a bubbly girl being very bubbly. when you pulled up here to me and um me and Tyler, like it was very much so welcoming. It was it was love. It was light. Like I I I think >> even when I was getting my makeup done, like I was really trying to figure out like I thought it was a lie that they called the cops on you. I really didn't think that was true. So I'm like, "All right, I know that's one of the questions I'm going to ask that was kind of off of my actual >> um line of questions because I was confused." Like I was like, "I don't she doesn't seem like that online." So I don't and then when we meet you in person, >> even when I'm angry and I'm like speaking about what's going on and then you just again read the comments and the testimonials that people have to say about me. There's hundreds of comments >> that are being >> I saw one of the videos from one of your friends. Um she was a light-skinned um woman with glasses. I'm not uh sure her name currently at this moment, but I saw a video of her talking about you like I know Olivia personally like she's very very nice like and and I think that's where I wanted to get to next. like in fast forwarding cuz I feel like that situation was a lot and I'm very sorry that you went through that personally like that was that's disgusting that should have never happened to you at all especially even having to come back to the same place to protest on something that happened to you is just triggering and very hard >> because she she knew what she was doing when she decided to call the police on me as a black person as a black trans woman that sit if if I waited for the police there's so many different ways that situation that situation could have went especially with >> I mean all police forces have this history but especially with a police force specifically Philly that is known for the the crazy ways that it treats >> black people. There's still videos you can go on TikTok right now and see videos of the police harassing black walking down the street. I am to fast forward to April 18th, the day in which you posted your because I do desire.

[00:49:18]What was the date of your termination?

[00:49:20]What was that date that?

[00:49:21]>> April 17th.

[00:49:22]>> So, April 17th. So, the next day, >> so not even. So, after I went to protest, I was like, "All right, I'm overstimulated. I'm a little disappointed cuz I'm saying all these things and you know, the girls are just chilling inside." I'm like, "Oh." I sat out there for a little bit. I said, "I said what I had to say.

[00:49:40]I'm going to go home. I'm going to collect my thoughts. That's why like I wrote down a lot of stuff so like I can like clearly explain what I need to explain.

[00:49:50]>> So you wrote that yourself because on that video it did I mean we knew that you were reading something but like you wrote that yourself?

[00:49:57]>> Unlike Siobhan, everything that I was reading off of I personally handwritten myself.

[00:50:03]>> Those are those are my words. I wrote them down, >> but they're not >> corporate PR AI. Yeah, I those are my own words. That's how I speak.

[00:50:14]>> Um, and I feel like that came across because of how people, you know, received it. But I literally went home.

[00:50:19]I said, "Okay, >> post this at the witching hour.

[00:50:22]>> It was like 12 12:30.

[00:50:25]>> Made my video, uploaded it. I got some food and went straight to bed." I woke up and >> Yeah. It was everywhere. It was like I saw that video and I was like, "Oh, wow." Like I instantly believed you. Of course, not necessarily because of my own experience that I had at Marshalls, but because I feel like we should believe black women when they speak the first time, not necessarily when they're proven right. Yeah. So, I instantly believed you and then the comments kept affirming what you were saying and I was like, "Oh, wow. This is uh really really interesting >> because even if people >> if people really felt like I was like some nasty girl who was really just a disgruntled employee like some people are saying they would not be in the comments saying the things that they're saying about >> correct and having their own experiences.

[00:51:09]>> Yeah. And these are people like I don't necessarily remember everyone's name all the time but I've seen these people.

[00:51:15]I've seen them come into the bar multiple times. Mh.

[00:51:18]>> So like it's just it's and this goes back to my whole thing about community too. Like if I was not a good person, the community would not come out.

[00:51:31]>> They're like, "Oh, we know that girl. We know what she's about."

[00:51:33]>> Do you feel supported by your community?

[00:51:35]Like do you feel supported by us? Like I mean me as a black woman and like other people that exist within the community.

[00:51:41]Do you feel supported even after your viral moment? Um, I do because a lot of people took the time and I haven't been able to get to all the comments and all the DMs, but like all the stuff that I have received is PE my community members reaching out showing their support. Um, a girl actually hit me up and she own she I don't know if she owns it, but she she does like full body massage like I know you're stressed, >> girl. Come and come get a massage. It's on the house.

[00:52:08]>> That's so dope. Do you know the name of her business?

[00:52:12]>> Um, I don't have it right now. Okay. All right.

[00:52:14]>> I literally messaged her earlier cuz I had to reschedule it. But like um yeah, just stuff like that. People have been reaching out. They're like, "I understand like this is going viral, but how are you?"

[00:52:25]>> Right?

[00:52:25]>> Like you know, how are you handling it?

[00:52:27]>> Correct.

[00:52:28]>> My answer has been the same.

[00:52:29]>> Um like on the outside, I guess like looking in if you're watching my videos, I'm I'm doing pretty like decently handling it. Yeah.

[00:52:38]>> But once that camera goes off and I'm by myself at home, I'm just like it's it's a lot.

[00:52:43]like like I was saying earlier, I'm a person, too. Like >> to have my entire life >> blown up.

[00:52:50]>> Um I was planning moving in a couple months.

[00:52:53]>> I wanted to get my gender affirming surgery so I could further my transition and feel more comfortable in my body.

[00:53:02]>> And for someone to take that away because I was trying to find resolution.

[00:53:08]I wasn't even blaming him or trying to like make him feel bad. I was coming to you like how I was coming to you with the events and I was coming to you with how people of color and black people feel here. I'm coming to you. I'm telling you what people are saying. I'm telling you how I feel too and then I'm giving you a solution. But you wouldn't let me get to that point. So to blow my entire life up because you felt like being vindictive and petty because at the end of the day when he was yelling at me, one of the things I wanted to say, >> he's like, "Oh, it feels like all of you are ganging up on me. You're going to go to Siobhan. You're going to get me fired. are you all teaming up with me and trying to get me fired? I was like, absolutely not, bro. Like, that's no.

[00:53:45]Yeah.

[00:53:46]>> So, for me, it's like, you did all this because you think I'm trying to get you fired. I don't I never said I wanted you fired. That's not my experience with you.

[00:53:53]>> Um, we had a friendly relationship. I even posted screenshots where me and him were talking about different video games, >> right?

[00:53:58]>> And >> for you to come back again and blow my entire life up, >> right?

[00:54:04]>> Um, contest my unemployment. Um, even my insurance, I'm paying for I'm paying for my insurance out of pocket. Sure, I get a discount from Penny, but I I'm I'm still paying for my insurance, part of it out of pocket. And of course, you know, insurance doesn't cover everything. So, even that stuff, I'm still paying out of pocket.

[00:54:21]>> Correct.

[00:54:22]>> Um, I need to eat. I need to >> pay my rent and just live a like, you know, a respectable life.

[00:54:30]>> And I think it goes back to the part of you saying that you're human. And I feel like that is stripped. Yeah.

[00:54:37]>> And I don't feel like and even outside of just being recognize how that looks for black trans people. Like that is disgusting.

[00:54:47]>> And it's and everyone it's completely and it's just completely a thing where everyone knows everyone knows and it's very it's very known that especially black black trans people specifically black trans women >> people don't hire us. It doesn't matter what your qualifications are. Like I was telling you earlier, I've been in the industry for 12 years.

[00:55:07]>> You see how people were raving about me, >> right?

[00:55:10]>> I can do my job very well. I exceed the expectations according to Marsha's own words.

[00:55:16]>> And people won't hire me. I go into interviews >> even currently.

[00:55:20]>> Yes. And my interviews are two to five minutes where they It's not an interview. You literally brought me down here to basically just tell me and like you're not a good fit. You can see the visceral reaction on people's faces when they see me because >> I might be insecure, but I think I'm an identifiably trans woman. Like, you can look at me and be like, "She's trans," >> which, you know, >> I think that's I think that's subjective because I feel like the lens of the person that's trying to say that you are obviously trans, I think comes from the lens of judgment in my personal opinion.

[00:55:54]If I see you as a representing woman of what I even define as a woman. So breast, hair, you know, booty or whatever the case may be, I'm going to identify and represent you as that.

[00:56:06]However, I think that's why I wanted to ask you, what do you identify as? cuz I don't want to call you a black trans woman if you identify as strictly a woman because I feel like >> if you are respectful, if you are understanding, and if you can accept somebody's reality, that should be the first question that you ask.

[00:56:26]>> And I don't feel like >> the understanding should come from the person experiencing the the >> the disrespect or the alienation. So to say that you to say that they would even look at you to be appearing as trans and to then uh treat you in that regard is 1,000% disgusting.

[00:56:50]>> Yeah. And I just want to say I'm very much I'm very much proud to be a trans woman. I am trans. I am not stealth in any way, shape, or form. Like >> I talk about being trans all the time.

[00:57:03]People talk about being trans all the time. like you know so it's just like and even how I explain my transition to people like I do not feel like I'm transitioning to be a sis woman or a biologically born woman I'm transitioning to >> fully and authentically be myself and that is someone who identifies >> and looks like a woman >> but it's it's >> although we do have a lot of overlapping experiences >> and a lot of similar things there are those few differences that I honestly I take pride in those like I'm hands. I'm And yes, natural-b born women do come in all shapes and sizes, but you know, >> I'm a big girl. I got big shoulders. I got big hands.

[00:57:42]>> I do really like your shoulders. I got I I want my shoulders. I ain't going to hold you. I really want those.

[00:57:47]>> I got Listen, girl. I got a big back. I got >> I love >> I got some big old country feet, child.

[00:57:53]>> Damn right.

[00:57:54]>> Like, you know, and I love all those things. I wouldn't change any of those things about me. But it's just like also I want to It's going back to the what we're talking about from >> Right. It's degrading because a lot of black trans women and specifically black trans women in this city because people will not hire us and even though it is subjective people will look at us and be like well you look trans and they'll be like oh well I'm not we're not partaking in that. So again that's where you get the two five minute interview two minutes to five minute interviews if you even get that. Um, so a lot of black trans women unfortunately are subjugated to doing sex work and that's how you get places like you know Huntington Park and >> all the all the other different places.

[00:58:38]And I'm not shaming those women because at all is something that comes out of trying to survive.

[00:58:44]>> Exactly. But to be pushed to that I don't think a lot of people realize the pipeline of >> identifying as what you want to identify as and then having to do work. I think that is missed a lot >> because people will be like, again, we're just trying to live our lives and survive, but at the end of the day, baby, you ain't got no money. You not got to have money. Exactly.

[00:59:06]>> And there's been multiple times where, you know, I've been unemployed because of being trans. And I'm sitting at home and I haven't eaten in like 4 days. And I'm sitting here like, "Okay, >> girl, you need to put your makeup on.

[00:59:18]You need to find a cute outfit."

[00:59:19]>> Wow.

[00:59:20]>> And then you need to go on that stroll.

[00:59:21]which is which is no judgment, but that is I think >> I'm thankful that I never Yeah. I'm thankful that I never had to actually do that.

[00:59:29]>> Yeah.

[00:59:30]>> But again, there's no judgment to those girls because I completely understand.

[00:59:32]>> I can Well, I mean, to be honest with you, >> not even being a trans woman, I can completely understand that. I feel like there's a lot of things that people have to do to survive that I think would be viewed as judge. I think it's very just heightened in the trans community because I feel like it gets to that point because of big corporations and even time small corporations like Marcas where they get into the stigma of we need to have certain people working at our establishment.

[00:59:56]>> So because of all of that and because we are getting down on time like but like >> what now? What now for Olivia? what now is Olivia going to do moving forward with I feel like a lot of positive um um outcome from this particular situation but even the negative and as somebody that has a degree in communications mass media with a concentration in public relations and journalism >> at a certain point all press is good press outside of the fact of what it does for your own mental health which I am going to be here for you like and and and standing beside you but more so in riding the wave of that how Is that now going to be something that Olivia benefits from?

[01:00:39]>> So, a lot of the girls who come out to support me, I've had a lot of event organizers reach out to me and ask me to help with different events, maybe get like that knowledge. So, that's maybe something I can start doing and making.

[01:00:52]Um, a lot of girls have taken initiative of sending me different places that are hiring cuz, you know, they're not always on the job boards, which I really appreciate. Okay. Um, but as far as like just the Marsha situation, um, a lot of the organizers and people that came through Marshes, whether they're like I said, event organizers, DJs, or just regular guests who are coming in to enjoy their time, >> um, I made connections with every single person that walked through that door.

[01:01:17]>> Yeah.

[01:01:17]>> And that wasn't me doing that for some gain. I had like even in those moments, >> I wasn't gaining anything from being nice to you. I'm just a nice girl. Yeah.

[01:01:25]like you know and that ended up in the long run benefiting me because now I have you know some of the organizers who helped set up my GoFundMe. I have a lot of the organizers who are helping me do the protests who are sending me links to different lawyers who are are just taking some of that stress off my shoulders.

[01:01:45]>> Yeah.

[01:01:45]>> Um but as far me personally, I took that first week off >> to I posted my videos.

[01:01:51]>> Yeah.

[01:01:51]>> Like I can't think about even applying to a job right now.

[01:01:54]>> Yeah. Um, so now I'm I guess my next steps are just, >> you know, applying. I'm applying to jobs right now. I'm still >> hopeful and everything because >> listen, the girls came out and supported me when that GoFundMe link went up, >> right?

[01:02:09]>> So, I still >> even though I know one thing, I won't be able to move until I get another job. I understand pays and stuff like that. Mh.

[01:02:17]>> Um, but I am hopeful cuz I literally right before this happened, literally maybe a few days before I got fired, maybe like 2 days, I got my second recommendation letter so I can get some of my gender affirming surgeries. So like the only thing I have left to do is actually schedule the appointment.

[01:02:34]>> Really? And I thank you. I've been good.

[01:02:38]And that's something that I've worked people understand the amount of work that I put in to be where I am right now. Even outside of like being trans and stuff, I've been through a lot of stuff. I've been through a lot of stuff personally.

[01:02:50]>> And I feel like that's why I was able to like be strong when it came to a lot of this stuff.

[01:02:55]>> But yeah, all I got to do, I'm got to schedule my appointment and talk to my surgeon.

[01:03:00]>> So that's like the biggest thing. And I refuse to let them stop me.

[01:03:03]>> I know that's right.

[01:03:04]>> From cuz listen, >> I'm going to get that surgery.

[01:03:06]>> I know that's right. The titties are gonna The titties are gonna be >> The titties are titties.

[01:03:11]>> You're going to see me. This is all you're going to see. I mean, >> everywhere I go, >> it's going to be First of all, y'all can't see Tyler doing it, too, but she doing it, too.

[01:03:25]>> That's so I mean, that's the biggest thing. And I, like I said, I refuse to allow them to take that away from me.

[01:03:33]Yeah. Because realistically with the way America's set up, child, I don't know when I'm gonna have insurance again or even if like because look, I literally got my insurance January 1st.

[01:03:46]It is now April and I'm like, well, I got fired. I'm like, well, how am I going to pay my insurance? If I don't pay it, they will take that [ __ ] away, >> right?

[01:03:55]>> So, it's just like you never know what's going to happen. So, I'll never know if I'm going to like when I'll have insurance again. So, I'm very much taking advantage of that opportunity, especially with, you know, people supporting me. Yeah.

[01:04:06]>> With the GoFundMe and everything.

[01:04:08]>> So, >> which we will definitely post your GoFundMe because I want you all to support Olivia. I know y'all have listened to the story and y'all like, "Oh my god, I want to know how to support how to support how to how to I can uplift her in any type of way." So, we will definitely absolutely post your GoFundMe. Yeah.

[01:04:21]>> And even if you can't like donate, like I completely understand. I'm not working right now, child. Times are rough. Times are hard. And especially in a day and age, a day and age where like >> the eggs is hot, the ass is fine.

[01:04:33]>> That part, especially in a day and age where, you know, >> black women are the most educated group in America and the I don't know if anyone else is paying attention. I'm paying attention. the way black women at large are getting laid off >> and having their jobs and their job security taken away from them to the point where they're the highest demographic of people who are being fired, laid off, whatever.

[01:04:58]>> In this rise of conservatism, again, very concerning. I'm one of them.

[01:05:03]>> Damn it, Shane. I also too am one of them. Literally, job gone >> that part. So, even if you can't donate, child, I'll take 50 cents if you got it.

[01:05:12]>> Yes, sir. Um, but even just sharing it means so much to me because even if you can't donate, you sharing it maybe will show someone who can donate, >> right?

[01:05:21]>> So, you know, >> so if someone is watching this and is afraid to speak out on their situation, I'm curious and I want you to look into your camera.

[01:05:31]>> What would Olivia tell them?

[01:05:33]>> There's a lot of things I would tell y'all, child. I would say, you know, definitely take into mind the repercussions of what's going to happen because there are going to be repercussions, good and bad. Um, I always say prioritize your safety over everything for the most part. But the amount of pride you will feel in yourself, um the the joy you will feel knowing that you just you did what was right, like you know, and none of us deserve to be disrespected, pushed to the sha shadows, and you know, just pushed to the side. Like we're all people at the end of the day, and we deserve to live with like dignity and humanity. So, I would just say if you're able to speak up, please do because you never know what doors you might be opening for someone else later down the line. Cuz imagine if Marsha P. Johnson never spoke up, child. Gay, queer, bisexual, lesbian, child, none of us would have rights. So, you never know what the impact of you speaking up will be.

[01:06:32]Olivia, when I tell you that this has to be one of the greatest interviews I've ever had in my entire life, either I've done or I've witnessed like in person. I am so grateful for your strength. I'm so grateful for your words. I'm so grateful for your presence and your life. So, from me, from the producers here at Philly Podcast, we want to thank you for coming in and sharing your story. I'm sure that was not easy to do. your experience that you've been through in life is not easy and I pray that this reaches every ounce of the internet and it goes over and you are washed with abundance and please know that I love you. You my Aquarius sister and I you're you suck with me forever. Okay, that's going now.

[01:07:20]>> Oh my god. Thank you all for watching another episode of Off the Feed. I love you all so much and make sure that you like, comment, subscribe. I want you to all to click on that link on that GoFundMe link and I want you to support Olivia. I want you to follow her on all social media platforms. And until next month, I love you all so much.

[01:07:38]Yay.